Tokyo Olympics will get underway from 23rd July, and India will send their Biggest-ever Contingent to the Olympic Games. The 126-member strong contingent will participate across 18 disciplines. Strong contenders across many disciplines could clinch a medal for India. Experts said that India could win a medal in ‘double-digit’ and improve their performance from their last Olympic Games. Here are some of the strong contenders to win a medal in the Olympic Games.
PV SINDHU – BADMINTON
Event – Women’s Singles
One of India’s biggest medal-winning hopes at this year’s Olympics will be the Women’s Badminton Superstar, P.V. Sindhu. The 26-year old is currently placed at seventh rank in BWF rankings and will be playing her 2nd Olympic Games. However, Sindhu was not in her best form and had some injury issues in recent times. This time around, there will be tough outings for the World no. 7 players as she might have to face Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in Quarterfinals, and if she succeeds, she may be facing world no.1, Tai Tzu Ying, in the Semifinals. However, one can’t rule out the shuttler who tends to peak at the biggest stages.
NEERAJ CHOPRA – ATHLETICS
Event – Men’s Javelin Throw
Perhaps, India does not have a great history of athletics from a medals perspective, but the Country produced some greats in Athletics, with the likes of Milkha Singh, P.T. Usha among them. The 23-year Old Neeraj Chopra – (Javelin Throw) will be one of the biggest medal prospects for India in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. He throws his personal best of 88.07 m in a recent performance, which is his season-best. With many big names withdrawing from the games, Chopra has a big chance to get medals in his first Olympic Games.
SAURABH CHAUDHARY – SHOOTING
Event – 10m Men’s Air Pistol
The Young Shooting Sensation, Saurabh Chaudhary, will be the strong contender for India to win a Gold medal in Shooting at Tokyo Olympics. The 19-year-old shows consistency at big events and won 5 medals, including 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 1 Bronze Medal in his tally. He also paired with Manu Bhaker in a Mixed Team event where India’s pair is also firm favourites to bring home a medal.
MANU BHAKER – SHOOTING
Event – 10m Women’s Air Pistol
Manu Bhaker is a teenage shooting sensation and will carry a huge expectation of winning a medal on the world stage. She won two gold medals at the 2018 ISSF World Cup and became the youngest Indian player. The Indian shooter will participate in three events, including 10m and 25m individual women’s air pistol and 10m mixed team event. She paired with Saurabh Chaudhary and won 6 medals in the world cup, 5 of which have a gold medal.
MIRABAI CHANU – WEIGHTLIFTING
Event – Women’s 49kg Category
Mirabai Chanu is currently ranked the World no.2 in weightlifting in the 49 kg category. She recently broke the world record in the clean and jerk segment with a 119 kg lift. She won gold at World Championships and Commonwealth Games in 2018. The 26-year-old is expected to win the Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari (in 2000).
BAJRANG PUNIA – WRESTLING
Event – Men’s Freestyle 65kg Category
The 27-year-old wrestler from Haryana, Bajrang Punia, is one of India’s brightest medal hopes. Bajrang was one of the most successful wrestlers in this Olympic cycle with two World Cup medals and a title at the Asia Games over the last four years. The second-seeded wrestler will make his first appearance in Olympic Games for India.
MC MARY KOM – BOXING
Event – Women’s 51kg Category
In this year’s Olympic Games, M.C. Mary Kom, an Olympic Bronze Medalist and six-time World Champion will be roaring for another. The 38-year-old recently won a silver medal in the Asian Boxing Championship in 2021. She will look to go all the way in the games that will probably be the final shot at the Olympic Games for the Indian icon.
VINESH PHOGAT – WRESTLING
Event – Women’s Freestyle 53kg Category
The Top-seeded Wrestler in the 53 kg Category, Vineh Phogat, has been incredibly consistent over the past few years. After suffering a career-threatening injury, she became the first Indian female wrestler to win a gold at the last Asian Games. In the previous Olympics, She missed out on a medal after suffering in his Quarter-final bout. However, she overcame that injury scare and looking to claim an Olympic medal for India.
AMIT PANGHAL – BOXING
Event – Men’s 52kg Category
Amit Panghal is one of India’s best medals prospects in the boxing ring. The World No.1 and the 2018 Asian Games Gold Medalist are proof enough of his capabilities on the world stage. Panghal is narrowly losing out to reigning Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov of Uzbekistan to finish second-best in the recently concluded Asian Championships in May.
INDIA’S MEN HOCKEY TEAM – HOCKEY
Event – Men’s Hockey
The World No.4 India Hockey Team will be looking to win a medal at the Olympics after 41 years. The Manpreet Singh-led team has been in good form in recent times. They defeated Germany on their turf with a scoreline of 6-1, resulting in the headline in their Europe’s Tour. The Team has transformed into a well-drilled unit recently, with experienced names like Manpreet and goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh being ably supported by several exciting youngsters within the squad. Indian Team will be looking to revive the glory days again.
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